Jailer gives phone to inmate under murder investigationFormer Pope County jailer Cody D. Benson, 21, was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly smuggling a cell phone, tobacco products and several unidentified items to inmates at the Pope County Detention Center. According to testimony given by Pope County Sheriff Investigator Chris Ridenhour, Benson delivered the cell phone to an inmate who is being investigated for murder. Benson's bond was set at $15,000 during felony bond hearings on Wedne...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Ex-cops charged with misdemeanorsDANVILLE -- One of two former Yell County Juvenile Detention Center (YCJDC) officers was found guilty of third-degree battery recently, while the other pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery last month. Circuit Judge David McCormick presided over the three-day (Aug. 24-26) trial in Waldron of Timothy Spears, where a jury found him guilty of third-degree battery, a misdemeanor, in connection with the March 2014 altercation with a boy that result...

Man claims he was 'forced' to take drugsKorry L. Edwards, 22, told District Judge Don Bourne he needed a low bond during felony bond hearings on Wednesday because he needed to "get out and protect his family." Edwards is facing felony possession charges after he allegedly showed up to his probation office intoxicated and with an bag of marijuana mixed with methamphetamine. "There was weed in there, but not meth," Edwards said during his hearing. "I might have said that there was met...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Sheriff's BeatDuring a bond hearing at the Pope County Detention Center, Sheriff's Officer James Lean escorted a 43-year-old man from the public viewing area for being disruptive after District Judge Don Bourne had him ejected. Lean escorted the male to the front door, during which time the man cussed and told Lean "I'll find you!" At that time he was placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct and terroristic threats. Deputy Mike Brown responde...

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Compiled by Courier StaffThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

PCSO launches website featureThe Pope County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) launched their new website earlier this month and have just announced a new featured recently added to the site -- a jail roster of current inmates. Having the jail roster online, which can be accessed at popecoso.org/inmate-roster, will now allow the public to view photos and booking details for individuals in the detention center as well as those released within the last 48 hours. The PCSO website -- w...

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Courier staff reportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Area man fires gun at policeRobert E. Baird is facing aggravated assault on a police officer charges after he allegedly fired a shotgun at Pope County Sheriff's Deputies approaching his residence on Sunday. According to testimony given by Pope County Sheriff's Investigator Chris Ridenhour, officers were dispatched to Waldo Lane in Dover in response to shots fired at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Sunday. Ridenhour said several deputies and a Dover marshal parked their patro...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSONsimpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Man threatens woman with a knife, fleesJose M. Magana, 33, was arrested for allegedly choking a woman and threatening her with a knife at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Aug. 23 in the area of 1300 North Greenwich Avenue. Magana appeared in felony bond hearings before District Judge Don Bourne on Wednesday inside the Pope County Detention Center and had his bond set at $5,000. According a report provided by the Russellville Police Department (RPD), officers responded in reference to an ...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSONsimpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

$10,000 bond for man who took gun to schoolWarren Sperow, 53, who was arrested on Tuesday for openly carrying a firearm at the Adult Education Center at the Gardner Complex, told the court he had no idea he was a felon. "I've never been in trouble before except I had [got caught with] a little bowl of marijuana, but I didn't know it was a felony," he told District Judge Don Bourne during felony bond hearings on Wednesday. According to a report provided by the Russellville Police Depart...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Police: Woman threatened victim then stole her carStephanie L. Foster, 46, was arrested on charges of theft by receiving after bonding out last week on possession with purpose to deliver charges. "You got arrested again?" District Judge Don Bourne asked Foster during felony bond hearings on Monday. "I think I told you not to do that." Foster chuckled. Bourne set her bond at $75,000 on the recommendation of deputy prosecutor Steve Higgins after determining probable cause to hold her until her ...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Man arrested for fire arm on school premisesAt approximately 8:09 a.m. Tuesday, Russellville Police responded to a call at the Adult Education Center at the Gardner Complex in response to a person allegedly carrying a weapon on the premises. Officers were advised before their arrival that the suspect had left in a vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the suspected vehicle near the intersection of North Arkansas Avenue and Parkway Drive and arrested the driver, Warren Sperow, 53...

Man seeks rehab following batteryDistrict Judge Don Bourne wanted to know who punched Kristopher T. Duvall, 37, who showed up to felony bond hearings with a black eye. "My mama did," Duvall said. Duvall, who had his bond set at $10,000 on Monday inside the Pope County Detention Center, was arrested on Aug. 19 after the Pope County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) responded to a report of a physical disturbance on McCurrie Lane. When the responding officer arrived on scene, the victim ...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Judge set to decide future of guns seized from local doctorLITTLE ROCK -- A federal judge will decide what should happen to more than $1 million worth of guns seized from the home of an Arkansas doctor who was later convicted in a bombing that nearly killed the head of the Arkansas State Medical Board. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller will consider arguments this week regarding the guns that belonged to Randeep Mann, who's serving a life sentence for the 2009 bombing at the West Memphis home of ...

Visitor arrested during hearingZachary M. Campbell is facing felony aggravated assault charges after allegedly firing a gun at a vehicle that had he said had been chasing him from Russellville to the 2800 block of Pine Ridge Road in Pottsville. "This is going to ruin me, judge, if I'm a felon," Campbell said as his bond hearing began on Friday at the Pope County Detention Center. According to a police report, Campbell was arrested on Aug. 18 after officers responded to a re...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Man facing battery charges asks judge for job opportunityRandy A. Hassel, 20, who appeared in felony bond hearings on Wednesday for allegedly beating a man in the face with a baseball bat, wondered if District Judge Don Bourne might spare him a job. "You think I got jobs in my pocket and can hand them out like bubble gum?" Bourne said shortly before setting Hassel's bond at $25,000. "Yes, but can you give me a job, please?" Hassel said. "Or is there anything I can trade to pay my bond?" Bourne hesit...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Local man among 3 arrested after park incidentDANVILLE -- Yell County Sheriff Bill Gilkey announced Monday the arrest over the weekend of three individuals in connection with an incident at Delaware Bay Park. Steven Bailey, 37, of Russellville, Jessie Mason, 44, of Pine Bluff and Kenneth Jackson, 58, of Bentonville, were taken into custody after officers discovered firearms, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in their camper. According to Chief Deputy John Foster, a Yell Cou...

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Man arrested after altercationDANVILLE -- Yell County Sheriff Bill Gilkey announced Monday the arrest of a Havana man on Friday on felony domestic battery charges stemming from a weekend incident. Johnny Ray Carter, 55, was taken into custody after deputies were summoned to Chambers Memorial Hospital to in Danville meet with a female who reported Carter shoved her face into a door facing, according to Chief Deputy John Foster. Foster reported deputies made contact with Car...

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